Hi! This is Kristina , part of Elmer's
family. It has been a long, long time since I have written to tell you
how Elmer is doing, so I thought I would give you an update! Elmer is
now eleven years old, and still going strong! He is still very healthy,
and when the he had his last 6month check-up, the vet told us that Elmer
could pass for 5 years old. He still herds us around the house and the
yard, especially when I come home from college to visit (I am a freshman
at Indiana University this year)! Elmer is such a special dog; he has
had a great influence on my life, and we have an incredible and
inseparable bond. In fact, Elmer is the one I miss the most when I am
away at college! He is so sweet and empathetic-- whenever I am sad or
sick, he will lay down on the floor next to the couch where I am laying.

Also, Elmer has taken a strong liking to music. Seven years ago
when I started playing clarinet, he would run to the opposite side of
the house. Now Steven, who is 14 and in 8th grade, plays trumpet and
Elmer is completely unphased by the loud music. I also sing, and Elmer
loves to listen to me sing. When he hears me, he will stop what he is
doing (usually he wakes up from a nap) and will come over to me and sit
down and just listen. He watches me intently and cocks his head from
side to side as I sing different pitches. No matter if I sing for 30
seconds or five minutes, Elmer listens and does not leave until I stop
singing. He is so cute!!!

Attached is a picture of us taken this summer on my 19th birthday
in August. Enjoy!

This site is completely owned and managed by
Gail Smyka. I do this in gratitude to Cheryl Albert because I
highly respect her and because she was the one who started
me in SV's with my wonderful Boyz, Gaelen & Taliesen.
Gail Smyka